January 2, 2019

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January 2, 2019

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Achieving the optimal video output settings on the Xbox One has been a topic of debate for quite some time. Controversy has raged across various internet forums regarding which settings should be enabled to ensure the highest image quality. Thanks to the use of signal capturing devices, the debate has finally been settled.

The Xbox One console should be set to output at an 8-bit color depth. This probably seems counterintuitive to those with 4K HDR TVs, whose panels support a 10-bit or higher color depth. However, it has been demonstrated that the Xbox One will still automatically output all HDR content in 10-bit or 12-bit color depth, even when the console’s video output settings are set to 8-bit. The advantage of setting the Xbox One’s color depth to 8-bit is quite simple. The console renders all non-HDR (SDR) content in 8-bit, and setting your console to output in 10-bit or 12-bit will negatively affect the image quality of SDR content due to the introduction of inherently flawed video reprocessing.

HDMI 2.0 is only capable of transmitting data at 18Gbps. This constraint does not allow the Xbox One to output full 10-bit or 12-bit 4K 60hz video in YCC 4:4:4. As such, the console is only capable of outputting 10-bit and 12-bit 4K 60hz video in YCC 4:2:0 or 4:2:2. All SDR games will render on your Xbox One in 8-bit, a signal that can be transmitted in full to an HDMI 2.0 TV at 60hz in 4K. This is one of the reasons why setting the Xbox One’s color depth to 10-bit or 12-bit will cause SDR games to lose color accuracy, a result of forcing the video to output in YCC 4:2:0 or 4:2:2.

Another video output option you’ll want to enable on your Xbox One is “allow YCC 4:2:2.” This will force your Xbox One to output 10-bit and 12-bit HDR content at YCC 4:2:2 instead of 4:2:0. Disregard Microsoft’s suggestion that you should only enable this feature if your console is having problems. This is nonsense, and the feature should only be disabled if you are experiencing video issues as a result.

There is one small group of people who should probably leave the “allow YCC 4:2:2” option disabled, besides those experiencing compatibility issues with it enabled. If you are exclusively using your Xbox One to watch Ultra HD Blu-rays, leave this option disabled. Ultra HD Blu-rays are encoded in YCC 4:2:0, and it would be best to transmit them to your television in that format. Gamers will want to keep their Xbox One console set to output YCC 4:2:2, but can choose to disable the option when they watch Ultra HD Blu-ray movies. Even those only using their Xbox One to watch movies should still set their color depth to 8-bit, ensuring the best video quality possible for their collection of SDR DVDs and Blu-rays.

YCC 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 refer to chroma subsampling. Basically, all you need to know about chroma subsampling is that YCC 4:2:2 is superior to 4:2:0. While YCC 4:4:4 would be ideal, the signal cannot be transmitted via HDMI 2.0 due to the limitations of the technology. The Xbox One Console renders SDR games in 8-bit RGB, not YCC, and the RGB signal does not employ chroma subsampling. HDMI 2.0 is capable of transmitting the 8-bit RGB signal in 4k at 60hz, which is exactly why you should set your Xbox One to output in an 8-bit color depth. Setting your Xbox One’s color depth to 10-bit or 12-bit won’t render SDR games in a higher color depth, it will simply force the console to output at a higher color depth by introducing additional video processing that will negatively affect the image.

Realistically, most people would never notice the difference. Then again, if you’ve already purchased a 4K HDR television and an Xbox One, why not get the most out of them? It’s also worth noting that not all games look best with HDR enabled. Some games that “support” HDR do not actually render in HDR. Red Dead Redemption 2, for example, does not properly render in HDR.

While playing games like Red Dead Redemption 2, which do not accurately render in HDR, you will need to disable HDR support in the Xbox One’s settings. Even when playing games that allow the option of disabling HDR through the in-game settings, it’s probably best to disable it via the console to prevent any conflicts between the game and the system. It’s fairly common for games to improperly render in HDR, and it’s worth researching information about each of your games to ensure they will render correctly in HDR.

Let’s explore the concept of HDR a little further. The 10 in HDR10 refers to 10-bit color. While it is possible to render SDR content above an 8-bit color depth, the Xbox One does not. The Xbox One will only render above the 8-bit color depth when outputting in HDR10 or Dolby Vision. Dolby Vision outputs in a 12-bit color depth, although few 4K TVs support this feature. Remember, your Xbox One will still automatically output HDR content properly in HDR10 or Dolby Vision when those options are enabled, even though the console’s color depth is set to 8-bit.

The Xbox One X will support HDMI 2.1, and Belkin recently released an HDMI cable capable of transmitting at 48Gbps. Unfortunately, these new cables won’t allow HDMI 2.0 televisions to receive 60hz 4K 10-bit or 12-bit YCC 4:4:4 video signals, due to the limitations of HDMI 2.0 technology. New TVs featuring HDMI 2.1 are coming soon, but it’ll likely be at least a year before the Xbox One X receives an update allowing it to transmit 10-bit and 12-bit YCC 4:4:4 4K video at 60hz and above to these new devices. Although, the Belkin 48Gbps HDMI cords are allowing Apple TV users to transmit 4K 10-bit YCC 4:2:2 video at 60hz, as the Apple TV has a strange defect that renders 18Gbps HDMI cables insufficient at transmitting the high bandwidth signal.

The above video is one of the best on YouTube at explaining these concepts. While this article currently provides the best advice for achieving optimal video quality from your Xbox One, we will update this content to reflect any future changes to the console’s settings by Microsoft. If you have any questions or comments about the information presented here, be sure to let us know in the comment section below.

September 13, 2018

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September 13, 2018

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Mortal Kombat completely changed the gaming world when the arcade game was released in 1992. Mortal Kombat allowed players to challenge one another to a literal death match. The fighting game featured five buttons and an eight-way directional joystick. Two buttons controlled the players kicks, two controlled punches, and one allowed the player to block.

When a player won the fight against his opponent, the winner was allowed a short amount of time to perform a secret combination of buttons that would allow the victor to kill his dazed opponent. This finishing move was referred to in the game as a fatality. Each character had their own finishing moves, and the game even featured a stage fatality that allowed the winner to use the environment to kill his opponent. Needless to say, the game was quite controversial when it was released. It was also incredibly popular in the United States.

Thanks to the popularity of the arcade game, Mortal Kombat was quickly ported to home gaming consoles. The launch of Mortal Kombat on consoles was one of the largest and most highly publicized releases in gaming history. Referred to as Mortal Monday, Mortal Kombat hit store shelves for the Sega Gensisis, Super Nintendo, Game Gear, and Game Boy on September 13th, 1993. The game’s launch was preceded by a huge wave of advertising in the form of print ads and television commercials.

Although the game launched on four separate gaming consoles on the same day, there were enormous differences between the games. The Game Boy and Game Gear versions were significantly less technologically advanced than the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis versions. The Super Nintendo version came the closest to reproducing the visual and audio achievements of the arcade game, due to the console’s technological superiority compared to Sega’s Genesis. However, the Sega Genesis version remained much more faithful to the mood of its arcade predecessor. This was due to Sega’s inclusion of game’s more controversial elements.

Nintendo was not comfortable with releasing Mortal Kombat uncensored for their console. Nintendo chose to leave the blood out of the Super Nintendo version of Mortal Kombat. The blood was replaced with sweat. Fatalities were also altered for their version of the game.

Sega, on the other hand, decided to go with a different approach. The Sega Genesis version of the game allowed users to enter a code at the beginning of the game, similar to how players performed fatalities, that unlocked the sight of blood and uncensored the fatalities. This more faithful adaption of the game on Sega’s console was much more well received than Nintendo’s. Mortal Kombat was the deciding factor for many gamers when choosing between purchasing a Genesis or SNES, and Sega likely benefited greatly from their decision.

Gamers may also remember another feature from Sega’s version of Mortal Kombat. The code to unlock blood in the Sega version of the game is “ABACABB.” Abacab is an album from the band Genesis, who shares a name with the Sega console. This Easter egg is one of many found throughout the game.

Mortal Kombat is known in the gaming community for its early adoption of the practice of hiding secret elements in the game. The arcade version allowed users to access a hidden fight against a secret character with its own secret stage. Future Mortal Kombat titles even adopted hidden Easter eggs based on rumors about previous games.

Mortal Kombat 10, the latest title in the series, was released in 2015. Warner Brothers purchased the Mortal Kombat franchise in 2009 when they acquired Midway Games. Ed Boon, co-creator of the original Mortal Kombat, is still currently serving as creative director for the Mortal Kombat games. Although there is no official word yet on Mortal Kombat 11, we look forward to brutally finishing off our opponents in the next Mortal Kombat game.

September 7, 2018

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September 7, 2018

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Wired recently reported on a system of prison profiteering that many people may not be aware of. Several companies are making healthy profits charging prisoners, and their acquaintances, to send emails. While the practice is legal, there are several ethical concerns surrounding it.

JPay, a leader in the industry, provides prisoner communication services to prisons in 20 different states. As some prisons have instituted a ban on greeting cards, JPay is commonly presented as an alternative to those wanting to communicate their well-wishes to friends or family in prison. JPay will charge the prisoner’s friends and family to send their electronic message. They may also charge the prisoner to read the message.

States like Michigan have instituted strict guidelines regarding mailed prisoner communication. These rules restrict the color of paper the letter may be written on, and even restrict the color of ink that can be used to write it. Due to concerns that a letter may go undelivered, many are turning to services like JPay.

Electronic communications aren’t the only services being offered for-profit in our prisons. Often times, these same companies will offer a variety of other options to prisoners. Securus, JPay’s parent company, provides the phone service for Louisiana’s prisons. In Michigan, they sell tablets to prisoners. According to Wired, about 2/3 of Michigan’s prisoners are currently enrolled in that program.

While some may be disgusted by the idea of profiting off prisoners, others defend the behavior of companies like JPay. They say these businesses are simply providing a service to those who want it. While these large companies are clearly benefiting, they argue that the prisoners also benefit from using their service.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

This article contains the personal opinions of the author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Mess of Media. This disclaimer appears on all articles that feature the personal opinions of the author, as Mess of Media is an unbiased and nonpartisan source of information.

August 28, 2018

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August 28, 2018

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While the price of Bitcoin may have decreased by around 75% in the last 8 months, the hash rate has increased by around 500%. The hash rate is the processing power contributed to the network. Right now the hash rate is sitting around 50,000,000 tera hashes. That’s the equivalent of 50 million computers each performing 1 trillion calculations per second.

Some would contribute the growth to the increased productivity of ASIC miners. While that is definitely a factor, these increases in hash rate can be found in cryptocurrencies that use GPU mining as well.

Others say the discrepancy between price and hash rate may simply be caused by a lack of understanding. Generally speaking, miners have a strong technical understanding of cryptocurrency. They understand its value and use it regularly. On the other hand, many investors have have absolutely no understanding of the technology at all. This may make them susceptible to emotional decision making, such as panic selling at a loss.

While Peter Schiff and many other prominent figures say this is the beginning of the end for Bitcoin, there are obviously many in the mining industry that disagree. Is Bitcoin a passing fad? Or are the critics simply misinformed? Only time will tell.

Mess of Media’s cryptocurrency reporting is for informational purposes only. Our reporting should not be considered financial advice. Participation in the crypto market is at your own risk.

August 20, 2018

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August 20, 2018

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After the first two highly publicized spaghetti eating contests, it is now common knowledge that the golden retriever is the fastest pasta eater in the animal kingdom. However, one brave individual is willing to risk it all in an attempt to put man back on top of the food chain. Although this match may be taking place thousands of miles away overseas, this daring human will be facing off against a distant relative of the one and only Ravioli Retriever himself. This title fight has a twist ending you won’t want to miss!

August 20, 2018

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August 20, 2018

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Thanks to the Spaghetti Showdown Part 1, we now know the Golden Retriever is the canine breed best suited for consuming pasta. However, this next showdown seeks to settle a different age old rivalry.

It’s the seniors vs the juniors! In one corner we have Toby, an 11 year old retriever with an appetite for victory. In the other corner we have Ollie, a 10 month old retriever desperate to prove himself in the high stakes world of spaghetti eating. This one comes down to a photo finish you won’t want to miss!

August 14, 2018

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August 14, 2018

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While speaking during a panel discussion at South by Southwest, Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed Eddie Murphy has joined the cast of the Twins sequel. The sequel will be titled Triplets, and will feature Murphy as the long-lost twin brother of Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.

Triplets has been in development for years, and many fans are eager to see how the new film will treat the significantly older characters. Schwarzenegger is 71, DeVito is 73, and Murphy is 57. It will be interesting to see how the film addresses Murphy’s age difference, if it even addresses it at all.

While speaking in Austin, Texas, Schwarzenegger also confirmed that the script was finally complete. Hopefully production will begin on the Twins sequel soon. We’ll keep you updated on the latest developments. Let us know what you think about the sequel’s premise in our comment section below.

August 13, 2018

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August 13, 2018

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NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is on its way to the most important form of energy on Earth, the Sun. The Parker Solar Probe is on a seven-year mission that will involve passing by the Sun a total of 24 times. The robotic spacecraft will probe the outer corona of the sun.

The Parker Solar Probe will reach within 3.85 million miles from the surface of the sun. The spacecraft is also expected to reach speeds up to 430,000 miles per hour. It’s also the first NASA spacecraft to be named after a living person, physicist and University of Chicago professor Eugene Parker. The NASA project is expected to cost 1.5 billion dollars.

NASA scientists hope to learn more about several unanswered questions of the universe. For example, what keeps the corona generating so much energy? Another popular topic of curiosity involves the constant stream of supersonic solar wind blowing throughout the galaxy. The space exploration community is eagerly awaiting the results obtained from the mission.

The Sun’s surface is about 2 million degrees Fahrenheit. Below the surface, temperatures reach a scorching 10 million degrees Fahrenheit. Why wont the Parker Solar Probe melt? According to NASA, in short, the heat is less dense. NASA contrasted the differences in heat density by comparing a person putting their hand in a hot oven versus putting their hand in pot of boiling water. Along with the atmosphere being less dense, NASA has equipped the Parker Solar Probe with a Thermal Protection System (TPS) that can withstand temperatures up to 3 thousand degrees Fahrenheit.

The NASA probe was launched into space August 12th, 2018. It is expected to return to Earth sometime in 2025. What mysteries of the universe will the spacecraft unlock once its mission is complete? Only time will tell.

Keep track of NASA’s Parker Solar Probe by following their official Twitter page!

August 10, 2018

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August 10, 2018

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This is a main event you won’t want to miss. Two goliaths showdown in this clash of the ages. In one corner we have a Golden Retriever who is hungry for a challenge. In the other corner we have the battle hardened German Shepherd. While only one can win the spaghetti eating contest, both of these good boys won my heart.

August 2, 2018

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August 2, 2018

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Veterans Affairs Officials are opposing the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017 Congressional bill. This legislative bill extends payouts to about 90,000 Vietnam Veterans who claim effects from Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, and is estimated to cost about one billion dollars.

The VA’s Undersecretary of Benefits, Paul Lawrence has stated, “The Science is not there, and what we do depends on the science.” VA officials also believe they cannot get proper “scientific” evidence on whether a veteran has cancer or an illness from being exposed to Agent Orange or simply from old age.

Rick Weidman, Executive Director at the Vietnam Veterans of America, responded stating, “These people were exposed. How much they were exposed doesn’t make a difference. And you can’t put that all together 40 years later.”

Agent Orange was a strong herbicide used by the United States military during the Vietnam War to eliminate the harsh terrain, making it easier to navigate the harsh environment. The United States dropped millions of gallons of the herbicide from 1961-1971. The VA’s own website details the deadly side effects of exposure to Agent Orange.

The Blue Water Bill has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting a vote at the Senate. If you or someone you know would like to make a claim with the VA, you can contact them at 1-800-827-1000.

March 15, 2019

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March 15, 2019

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The White House and President Trump offered condolences today to the victims of the New Zealand terror attack. 49 people were killed when terrorists attacked a mosque and an Islamic center in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is the deadliest terror attack in New Zealand’s history.

The attack was carried out by white supremacists intent on attacking the town’s Muslim population. The shooting began at the Al Noor Mosque, where the deranged terrorist livestreamed 16 minutes of the attack onto Facebook. A second attack occured at the Linwood Islamic Centre, about three miles away from the mosque. It is unclear if the second attack was carried out by the same shooter.

Three suspects appear to have been taken into police custody in the aftermath of the attack. The individual believed to have carried out the attack on the mosque appears to have posted a manifesto online. According to the manifesto, the attacker was motivated by his bigotry to carry out the attacks.

The shooter’s alleged manifesto also describes himself as an “eco-fascist,” concerned about global warming. The demented author goes on to say his views align with those of the Communist Party of China. The manifesto also praises President Trump for his perceived views on race, though the author rejects Trump as a leader.

Critics of President Trump were quick to highlight the shooter’s alleged attitude toward the president’s views on race. However, others have rejected the entire narrative that the president has ever made racist comments. Supporters of the president were also quick to note that the shooter’s alleged manifesto does not describe himself as a conservative or Trump supporter.

President Trump had this to say on Twitter earlier today about the attack:

“My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!”

My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!

March 15, 2019

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March 15, 2019

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Here is the comprehensive move list for each of the three available characters. We have included the special move list, brutality guide, and fatality guide for both the Playstation 4 and Xbox One. PS4 inputs are in the parenthesis. Keep in mind that some special moves are only available with certain character variations or by unlocking the abilities via the customization menu.

March 8, 2019

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March 8, 2019

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Former Trump 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced today to 47 months in prison. The sentencing comes after a federal jury in Virginia convicted Manafort on eight counts of bank and tax fraud. Prosecutors say Manafort hid income from the IRS and fraudulently obtained millions of dollars in bank loans.

Manafort was prosecuted as a result of the Special Counsel investigation into President Trump’s 2016 campaign. The investigation is headed by former FBI Director Robert Mueller. Manafort is one of multiple individuals close to the president that have been targeted by the investigation.

Fox News reports that the judge in the case rejected the sentencing guidelines of 19 to 24 years in prison, calling the punishment “excessive for this case.” Manafort will be receiving credit toward his sentence for the 9 months of time he has already served behind bars. In addition to his prison sentence, the judge also imposed a $50,000 fine.

Manafort is still awaiting sentencing in a separate case. Following his trial and conviction in Virginia, Manafort pleaded guilty to charges of lobbying violations and witness tampering in Washington. Mueller’s team is reportedly requesting a sentence from the judge of 24 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines.

Critics of the Special Counsel investigation note that none of the individuals involved in President Trump’s 2016 campaign have been charged with any crimes relating to collusion with Russia, which was the original purpose of the investigation. President Trump has repeatedly suggested that Manafort was targeted for prosecution simply as a result of his involvement with the 2016 campaign. Many have predicted that the president will ultimately pardon Manafort.

February 27, 2019

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February 27, 2019

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Senator Lindsey Graham recently appeared on Fox News to discuss the attempt in Congress to block President Trump’s national emergency declaration. The House of Representives voted earlier today to block the declaration by a vote of 245 to 182. A total of 13 Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues to reject the national emergency.

During the interview, Graham said the president is on firm legal ground by declaring a national emergency. Graham is a lawyer, a point he made sure to remind audiences of while discussing the legal implications of the national emergency. Graham went on to say that President Trump has the authority to move funds around to pay for the wall, according to the legal statute authorizing the president to declare a national emergency.

Graham continued the interview listing numerous times that Democrats in Congress were willing to concede that there are serious concerns regarding border security. The senator suggested that Democrats were previously willing to support the construction of barriers along the border until then-candidate Trump began advocating for them. Graham encouraged his fellow Republicans in Congress to visit the Mexican border if they truly believe there is no crisis occurring.

Now that the House of Representatives has passed the resolution to block the national emergency, the Senate will soon vote on the matter. Some Republicans in the Senate have already indicated they are undecided or willing to vote against the national emergency. The GOP has a majority of 53 in the Senate, and it will take 51 votes to reject the president’s declaration.

Even if enough Republicans vote against the national emergency, it’s almost unimaginable that it would have enough support to block the president’s veto. Although a lot of talk has been made on television about the resolution, it was never really seen by political operatives as a viable option of blocking the president’s declaration. It seems the only realistic option the president’s critics have at blocking the declaration is through the courts, a process that is sure to play out across the coming months.

February 25, 2019

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February 25, 2019

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President Trump aboard Air Force One on his way to Hanoi, Vietnam for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. President Trump and Kim Jong-Un will be meeting on Wednesday and Thursday in the Vietnamese capital. Jong-Un traveled from North Korea through China on an armored train before arriving in Vietnam earlier today.

The first summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-Un took place in June of 2018. President Trump announced in December that he would be holding second summit with the North Korean leader in the near future. President Trump announced the location of the second summit during his State of the Union Address, announcing the exact date of the meeting just a few days later.

President Trump and Kim Jong-Un are expected to meet Wednesday evening for a one-on-one discussion. Following their meeting, they will sit down for dinner together. President Trump is to be joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney during the dinner. Jong-Un will also be joined by two aides, and each leader will have their own translator.

President Trump and Kim Jong-Un will be meeting again on Thursday. On the second day of their summit, the two leaders are expected to hold a series of official meetings. It remains unclear what kind of developments may be announced during the summit.

Those optimistic about the summit hope to see meaningful steps taken at the meeting toward nuclear disarmament of North Korea. An armistice was reached between North and South Korea in 1953, but the war has never formally ended. North and South Korean leaders have recently discussed the idea of formally ending the Korean War, and many are hoping to hear the topic addressed during the summit.

Others, including many members of Congress, have been less enthusiastic about the meeting. They argue President Trump hasn’t been skeptical enough about North Korea’s promises, and that their summit only serves to portray the regime with a newfound sense of legitimacy. Defenders of the summit contend that Kim Jong-Un has not conducted any nuclear testing or missile launches since the recent changes in diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea.

February 24, 2019

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February 24, 2019

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When former CBS journalist Lara Logan recently criticized the media for their left-leaning bias, she said the comments might end her career in journalism. It turns out that might not be the case after all. Fox News’ Sean Hannity and Greg Gutfeld are both advocating for their network to hire Logan following her recent statements.

Logan made the comments while being interviewed by Mike Ritland on his Mike Drop podcast. Logan sat down with Ritland for a wide ranging interview that lasted over three hours. Logan accused media outlets of featuring a significant amount of political bias in their news coverage, especially in the United States.

Logan was also highly critical of news networks for promoting information from notoriously unreliable sources. She went on to say that opposing views must be actively sought out by the public, as they’re often ignored or misrepresented by the dominant media outlets. Logan was especially critical of what she described as the declining standards of many journalists in the media.

Logan began her career in journalism in 1988. As a freelance journalist, Logan was featured by NBC, ABC, and CNN. In 2002, Logan began working as a corespondent for CBS. Logan remained with CBS until 2018.

Much of Logan’s reporting has been from war zones, often embedded with US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The former CBS journalist has received numerous awards throughout her career, including an Emmy in 2007. Logan has been championed by many over the years as a fearless journalist, willing to sacrifice her safety to inform audiences around the world.

In 2011, during the Arab Spring in Egypt, Logan and her crew were attacked by a large crowd while reporting. Logan was raped and sexually assaulted by a group of between 200-300 men on the streets of downtown Cairo. The attack lasted around 25 minutes before Logan was rescued by Egyptian soldiers. She spent four days recovering in the hospital after being flown back to the United States.

Logan says that she would like to continue her work in journalism following her departure from CBS. However, she says her experience in Egypt and the birth of her children have caused her to scale back from the dangerous environments overseas. Logan spent five years living in Iraq and a year living in Afghanistan during her time reporting from the Middle East.

Considering Logan’s impressive reputation as a journalist, many Americans critical of the media’s news coverage have welcomed her comments. At Fox News, where media bias is a common topic of discussion, Logan’s comments were especially well received. Fox’s Greg Gutfeld was the network’s first host to suggest his employer hire Logan.

Shortly after Gutfeld’s suggestion to the news network, Logan appeared for an interview on Sean Hannity’s Fox News program. Like Gutfeld, Hannity strongly encouraged Fox to hire Logan. Hannity repeatedly praised Logan’s career in journalism throughout the interview, saying she would be a terrific addition to the organization.

February 24, 2019

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February 24, 2019

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In December, the Democratic National Committee announced that their candidates would be participating in at least twelve debates throughout the nomination process. The first debate is scheduled for sometime in June. The first debate is expected to feature a long list of candidates, with the debate being split into two separate events, taking place across two consecutive nights.

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang recently discussed the upcoming debates during an interview on Fox News. Yang told Fox’s Neil Cavuto that the DNC had already reached out to him to guarantee him a spot in the first debate. He said the first debate would indeed be held as two separate events.

During the interview, Yang and Cavuto discussed previous debates that split the candidates into “varsity” and “JV” events, with high profile candidates being separated from those polling less than them. Yang said he has been assured by the DNC that the first debate will not follow that format. Instead, he said, the candidates names will be randomly chosen to appear on either night.

The two separate events will be treated as a single debate, just one of the twelve promised in the coming months. The second debate will take place in July, with no debates taking place in August. Following the break in August, Democrats will be debating at least once every month until April.

Half of the upcoming debates are scheduled for 2019, with the remaining six taking place in 2020. The first debate will be held by NBC News, MSNBC, and Telemundo. The second debate, to be held in July, will be presented by CNN. An exact date and location for the first debate has not yet been announced.

In order to qualify for the first debate, candidates can meet one of two standards. The candidate must have at least 1% support in three qualifying polls or have 65,000 donors, with a minimum of 200 different donors in at least 20 states. If more than 20 candidates qualify for the debate, the top 20 will be determined through a separate process.

Several candidates are expected to join the race before the debates start in June. Former VP Joe Biden appears to be the most widely anticipated potential contender in the race. Of the announced candidates, many credit Bernie Sanders with receiving the most support so far. Sanders is the fifth US Senator to announce a presidential campaign, joining fellow Senators Booker, Warren, Gillibrand, and Harris.

February 23, 2019

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February 23, 2019

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During a report on Roger Stone’s recent court appearance, CBS’s Paula Reid mentioned the network’s sources expect the Robert Mueller probe to be complete by the middle of next month. CBS isn’t the only news outlet to suggest the investigation will be wrapping up in the next few weeks, but CBS is among the most reputable to have claimed to receive the information from direct sources. The completion of the investigation is expected to coincide with US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’s resignation.

The Special Counsel investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump 2016 Campaign began in May of 2017. The investigation is headed by former Director of the FBI Robert Mueller. Generally, a special counsel investigation would be overseen by the Attorney General, but Jeff Sessions recused himself shortly after taking office.

In place of then-Attorney General Sessions, the investigation has been overseen by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Although Rosenstein was appointed by Trump, the two have had a falling out since then. Much like he did with Sessions, President Trump has repeatedly criticized Rosenstein on Twitter. This was especially true following former acting Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe’s recent claim that Rosenstein offered to secretly record the president on numerous occasions.

The investigation has resulted in multiple indictments, guilty pleas, and convictions. Among the most notable targets of the investigation have been President Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Critics of the investigation argue that none of the president’s former associates have been charged with any crimes pertaining to collusion with Russia.

One of the investigation’s most vocal critics has been President Trump himself. The president commonly refers to the investigation as a “witch hunt.” President Trump has also said he hasn’t ruled out the idea of pardoning some of the individuals involved in the Special Counsel investigation, saying he believes the entire inquiry was politically motivated.

February 19, 2019

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February 19, 2019

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White House Director of Strategic Communications Mercedes Schlapp recently appeared on Fox News to discuss President Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency. During her interview with Fox’s Bill Hemmer, Schlapp said the threats posed by illegal immigration justify the need for a national emergency. Schlapp went on to say that construction of the border wall will continue while the president’s decision is being challenged in Congress and the courts.

Shortly before the president’s announcement of the national emergency, the White House detailed how much they intended to spend on the project. In total, $8 billion has been allocated toward the wall during the national emergency. The president initially requested $5.7 billion from congress toward the wall. However, following a government shutdown and months of negotiation, Congress compromised on the much smaller amount of $1.3 billion.

The $8 billion in spending announced by the White House includes the $1.3 billion recently approved by Congress. Of the remain funds, $2.5 billion will come from the Department of Defense, $3.6 billion will come from military construction funds, and $600 million will come from the US Treasury Department. While many Republicans welcomed the president’s decision, countless Democrats and some Republicans have criticized the move.

The Democratic controlled House of Representatives is expected to pass a disapproval resolution against the national emergency in the very near future. The House’s resolution will force the Senate to also vote on the president’s decision. However, it’s highly unlikely enough Republicans will vote against the president to pass the measure. Even if they do, it is nearly impossible to imagine any scenario where enough Republicans would vote against the president to create a veto-proof majority.

It seems the president’s decision to declare a national emergency will face its most difficult challenge in the courts. President Trump and others in his administration have said they expect the decision might be rejected by the lower courts. However, they have also expressed the view that the decision will be ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court.

According to Schlapp’s statements during her interview on Fox News, it appears the White House intends to immediately begin using the funds allocated toward the wall. Schlapp said the funds will continue to be used toward construction of the wall throughout the legal process. She also stated her belief that most of the funds allocated toward the wall are cannot be denied by the courts.

The $8 billion designated for the national emergency has a goal of funding 234 miles of new barriers along the southern border. According to White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller’s statements to Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, the project is scheduled to be completed sometime around September, 2020. Although the courts are expected to move slowly in responding to the president’s decision, the matter is likely to be resolved well before the construction project is complete.

February 18, 2019

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February 18, 2019

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On Twitter earlier today, President Trump had some harsh words for former FBI Director Andrew McCabe, US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions following McCabe’s appearance on CBS’s 60 Minutes last nights. During the interview, McCabe claimed Rosenstein repeatedly offered to wear a wire to secretly record conversations with President Trump. Rosenstein has denied the accusation, with Justice Department officials reportedly claiming Rosenstein was only joking around about recording the president.

Here is how President Trump responded on Twitter to McCabe’s 60 Minutes interview:

“Wow, so many lies by now disgraced acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe. He was fired for lying, and now his story gets even more deranged. He and Rod Rosenstein, who was hired by Jeff Sessions (another beauty), look like they were planning a very illegal act, and got caught. There is a lot of explaining to do to the millions of people who had just elected a president who they really like and who has done a great job for them with the Military, Vets, Economy and so much more. This was the illegal and treasonous “insurance policy” in full action!”

Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned from office in November at the president’s request. Rosenstein is expected to resign once William Barr is confirmed as Attorney General. Although Rosenstein claims he was joking about wearing a wire to record the president, McCabe insists Rosenstein was “absolutely serious” about recording the president.

In addition to his claims against Rosenstein, McCabe says several high ranking individuals in the Justice Department discussed the possibility of removing the president from office through the 25th Amendment. The 25th Amendment pertains to replacing the president or vice president in the case of death, impeachment, or resignation. It’s unclear how they anticipated to carry out the alleged plan against the president. Many, including President Trump, have criticized the concept of unelected bureaucrats contemplating the removal of the President of the United States.

Wow, so many lies by now disgraced acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe. He was fired for lying, and now his story gets even more deranged. He and Rod Rosenstein, who was hired by Jeff Sessions (another beauty), look like they were planning a very illegal act, and got caught…..

….There is a lot of explaining to do to the millions of people who had just elected a president who they really like and who has done a great job for them with the Military, Vets, Economy and so much more. This was the illegal and treasonous “insurance policy” in full action!